French President Emmanuel Macron has urged countries to recommit to international laws and the UN system, warning against a resurgence of the "law of the jungle." In his last speech to the UN's signature annual diplomatic gathering as president, Macron emphasized the importance of a civilized international society. He expressed concern over the current global situation, where the rhetoric of defeat is giving way to the abuse of power by empires, threatening the sovereignty of some nations.
Macron's speech highlighted the humanitarian situation in Gaza, which he described as a spectacle that shames the international community. He also raised alarm about the Ukraine-Russia war, calling for a moratorium on strikes against civilian and energy targets. The French president has been a stalwart supporter of Ukraine and had raised the country's case in a meeting with US President Donald Trump on Monday.
The French president proposed an alternative architecture for the development of artificial intelligence, suggesting an open-source frontier model that would be cutting-edge and shared among nations. Macron expressed concern that if countries do not come together to build this model, they will have to depend on someone else, apparently referring to AI powerhouses China and the US.
Macron's speech was part of the 81st UN General Assembly, where several other leaders had raised alarm about the risks posed by artificial intelligence. The French president's call for a recommitment to international laws and the UN system was echoed by his emphasis on the need to protect the civilian population in conflict zones. He cited the destruction of civilian infrastructure and human rights violations in the Ukraine-Russia war as examples of "barbaric acts."
In addition to his speech, Macron's visit to the UN General Assembly included a meeting with US President Donald Trump, where he raised the case of Ukraine. The French president has been a strong supporter of Ukraine and has emphasized the need for the international community to stand firm in the face of aggression.
The UN General Assembly has been attended by several world leaders, who have raised concerns about various global issues, including the risks posed by artificial intelligence. Macron's speech was notable for his emphasis on the need for countries to work together to build a cutting-edge open-source AI model that would be shared among nations.
Macron's call for a recommitment to international laws and the UN system has been seen as a significant moment in the 81st UN General Assembly. The French president's speech highlighted the need for countries to stand firm in the face of aggression and to work together to address global challenges.
Key points
- Macron urges countries to recommit to international laws and the UN system.
- The French president calls for a moratorium on strikes against civilian and energy targets in the Ukraine-Russia war.
- Macron proposes an alternative architecture for the development of artificial intelligence.